Twitter / jeremyweate

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Just finished watching the Oscars on tv. The Departed is on at the cinema here just now in Abuja - its quite nice to be able to go and see a film here that has just won so many awards - a sense of globalised connectivity emerges. The highlight of the show must be dwarfish Marty Scorsese picking up his gong and saying thank you forty times. Also interesting was to note what a force the Brits are in Hollywood these days. Two of the nominees for Best Director were Brits, of course Helen Mirren won best actress, but there were also a few other British nominees and winners in various categories, including best producer. The Brits were also much better dressed than the Americans on the red carpet outside, with Helen Mirren again looking the best of the bunch. Too many of the American women stars wore pastel colours that clashed with their skin.

The question is: why are the British playing such a comparatively strong role in Hollywood today? Is it because of the reservoirs of acting talent the British schools and theatre scene produces? Or is it because of the good old special relationship? Or something else?

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I believe that British Actors are getting a lot of accolades at the Oscars "because of the reservoirs of acting talent the British schools and theatre scene produces". The I believe that British Actors are getting a lot of accolades at the Oscars "because of the reservoirs of acting talent the British schools and theatre scene produces". The sophistication and maturity of the American Film industry only serves to harness the aforementioned talents expressively and creatively.

Rant: British terrestrial television has reached a new low. Everyone else in the world has seen the oscars (including sky subscribers)except the day to day liscence paying viewer. Rant over, the bits i saw on the internet were very interesting...Of course Helen Mirren deserved the win in every way and JHud was a winner for me regardless but what struck me the most was Forest Whi/Whatiker's semblance to the character's from spike lees bamboozled!

"why are the British playing such a comparatively strong role in Hollywood today? Is it because of the reservoirs of acting talent the British schools and theatre scene produces? Or is it because of the good old special relationship? Or something else?"-----

I found this quite interesting, There was an article in the Guardian last weekend about black british actors moving stateside because "there aren't any jobs for black actors in the UK" (according to Eamonn Walker)

America's most wantedhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/theguide/features/story/0,,2018733,00.html

So i'll agree its "something else" (especially if you're a black or asian brit)

The question is: why are the British playing such a comparatively strong role in Hollywood today? Is it because of the reservoirs of acting talent the British schools and theatre scene produces? Or is it because of the good old special relationship? Or something else?

it could be:

that the Americans love them because they are British and represent high culture?

because it would make the Americans feel worthy and clever?

that the Americans may have become victims of the curious British habit whereby they knock anyone who becomes successful?

that the british are just hitting an interesting moment in their careers where they are graduating from being premium-class British stars into global players?

that the British are so skilled at commanding a strong screen presence? Or a strong sentimental attachment?

they be seeking a comparatively cushy life?

that the ultimate ownership of the holywood companies is today increasingly British? (and to a lesser extent Australian/American)?

that the British are the most unthreatening, charismatic and sexy?

that massive success tends to irk the British?

that the British are very much a force for the good?

What could it be?

Who knows? One thing is certain: this is one of my most favourite blogs!

The Flying Monkey, curiously, is quite right: Americans like the Brits for their "British-ness." There was a moment during the Oscars when Ann Hathaway deferred reading the winner of an Oscar to some unknown British actress saying things sounded better with a British accent. That's symptomatic of it.

Pity the UK is imploding under self-imposed Socialism. (Just had to add that.)

I don't think its just a Brit thing in particular. This year at the Oscars, Diversity was a theme. It started at the Globes, even tho a lot of our African bros who were nominated claims to be British, but in generally we need to herald the fact that Diversity reigned supreme this year. I'm just happy for Whittaker and Hudson, yet to see either film tho. But this whole British invasion..i think it's the accent! Hella sexy!! Esp on Clive Owen & Pierce Brosnan. Can't deal with the new Bond yet. He irritates me!